In a recent segment on CBS, host Gayle King expressed her concerns over the public's misunderstanding of DEIdiversity, equity, and inclusion.
During the Wednesday morning broadcast, King reacted to a report introduced by "CBS Mornings" co-host Vladimir Duthiers. The report, originating from the Washington Post, revealed that the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) had removed several pages dedicated to minority servicemen, including Ira Hayes, a Native American Marine renowned for his role in the iconic Iwo Jima flag-raising photograph from World War II.
Duthiers attributed this action to President Donald Trumps "anti-DEI mandate," a characterization that King found offensive. "Its insulting to include that in DEI," King remarked. "DEI to me means definitely earned it. You know, people dont understand exactly, I think, what DEI is. Its really heartbreaking to see whats happening here." As reported by Fox News, Duthiers noted that some of the removed pages have since been reinstated.
Among the notable figures temporarily erased from the DOD website was Jackie Robinson, the legendary baseball player who served as a second lieutenant during World War II. Following public backlash, Robinson's story was restored on Wednesday. In response to inquiries from Fox News Digital,
Pentagon press secretary John Ullyot expressed satisfaction with the department's efforts to remove DEI content, emphasizing the recognition of individuals like Robinson and Hayes for their service beyond racial considerations. "In the rare cases that content is removed either deliberately or by mistake that is out of the clearly outlined scope of the directive, we instruct the components and they correct the content so it recognizes our heroes for their dedicated service alongside their fellow Americans, period," Ullyot stated.
The Pentagon has yet to clarify which other pages have been restored or whether the deletions were intentional or accidental. King's comments echo her previous sentiments from 2023, where she lamented the negative connotations associated with the term "wokeism." She stated, "I know, its so sad to me now that the word wokeism has now almost become weaponized. Its really missing the point about whats being taught here. You know, I dont look at it as wokeism so much as truthism."
This ongoing debate highlights the tension between preserving historical narratives and adhering to evolving cultural and political mandates. As the Pentagon navigates these complex issues, the broader conversation around DEI and its implications continues to unfold.
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